What Do You Know?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

“Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” - John 17:7

Have you ever taken an IQ test? I don't think I ever have... or I was too dumb to know what it was! Some believe that a high score on IQ test indicates that the person is highly intelligent. Of course, “highly intelligent” people have made dumb mistakes like I have. Although this fact doesn't excuse my dumb errors, it does make me feel a little better to know I am not alone with such stupid mistakes.

Life is a classroom unto itself. Whether we like it or not, all of us are enrolled in the school of daily living. Although I've been in this class for decades, I still feel like I am in kindergarten. When it comes to life's most difficult lessons, I seem to be a slow learner. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I really know.

It is important to know certain things. Of course, you know your name. You probably can provide the physical address where you live. You can recite your phone number. The date of your birthday is something you haven't forgotten. You may even know your social security number.

But when we are pressed about the most significant matters of life, can we honestly report what we know? Do you know that God exists? Do you know that Jesus is Lord? Do you know that you are saved? Can you honestly say, “yes,” in response to these questions? Ultimately, these issues are more important than your title at work or the details of your financial portfolio.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He spoke of His disciples when He said, “Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” This was something the disciples knew. More than believing, they knew some things. They knew that “... that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.”

Our Lord's ministry on earth was in response to His Father's will. He was sent here. He was given what He needed to accomplish His mission. You see, in spite of being divine Himself, Jesus lived in dependence on the Father.

In John 8:28, the Bible says, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.” In John 14:24, Jesus said, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” Furthermore, in John 5:19, the Bible says, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”

The disciples were taught that Jesus came to earth in accordance to His Father's will. Additionally, they were taught that all Jesus had and all He did were from the Father and were designed to glorify the Father.

Yes, the disciples were taught by the great Teacher and were not swayed by the opinions of the crowd or the criticism of political leaders. These same disciples would ultimately teach what they were taught. Some of them would even be inspired to write books that would be included in our New Testament. We are still learning from them.

These days there are many who wish to inform us. News outlets are constantly teaching from their platform. Politicians try to teach us from their speeches. Even friends and co-workers use daily conversations to share a tidbit of “news” or gossip. Everyone seeks to persuade us by telling convincing stories. Personally, I know of some who seem to be constantly living in fear or anxiety because of the news.

Rather than living by fear, we are called to live by faith. This comes by opening our Bibles rather than the newspaper. Faith comes by hearing the Word. The message we need today is the very message that Jesus taught His disciples. This message needs to be taught to your children and your children's children.

What do you know? Let me answer for myself. I know that God sits on the throne. He created everything. God has revealed Himself to us through His Word, the Bible. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for my sins that I may have eternal life through Him. I know that Jesus rose from the dead and has returned to heaven. He is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for me. I know that He hears and answers when I pray. I know that He still saves souls and still changes lives. I know He is coming again soon. Knowing these things are the most important things a person can possibly know.

What do you know?